Plansee Camping in Austria

By Buck Tanner · May 5, 2025 · 8 min read

A tranquil mountain lake with reflections and forested slopes near Plansee, Austria.

Plansee is the perfect place to camp in Austria. Plansee Camping in Austria, Camping Seespitz or Sennalpe offer excellent pitches. You can find all the information you need about Camping Plansee here!

Plansee, located between the Zwiesel-Spiessberg mountain ranges, offers a variety of water activities and clean water. It is the perfect place for those who love being on and in the water. Camping is also possible at Plansee, right on the water!

Camping at Plansee in Tyrol

Plansee, a mountain lake in the Austrian Alps, is perfect for camping. It is surrounded by mountains and forests, offering a peaceful retreat with hiking and swimming.

Camping Site Sennalpe

The Camping Sennalpe, located in the north-east of Germany and close to the Plansee Lake, offers mobile home owners spacious spaces all year long. Directly adjacent to the campsite is a large lawn for sunbathing with direct access to the lake and bathing beach. The campsite has a beach buffet called 'Seeblick where you can eat or buy supplies. A ping-pong table and a playground are also available for children. You can relax in the sauna, and in the winter, you can enjoy an ice bath at the Plansee.

Camping Site Seespitz

The Seespitz campground is located on the western side of the Plansee. You can also enjoy a direct view of the lake from your camper. The campsite has a large lawn for sunbathing that is free to use, and a play area for children. You will find modern washrooms and sanitary facilities, as well as a sauna for relaxation. You can buy fresh essentials like bread, milk, and butter at the Seespitzkiosk, as well as a variety of dishes, such as pizza or goulash, as well as snacks and drinks. You can cook your food in our campers. You can even turn your Campstar into an outdoor cooking station!!

Plansee Offers Book Pitches

When booking a pitch on the Sennalpe and Seespitz campground, you have three options, each with a different location. If you choose the yellow category A pitch, you'll get a sunny pitch on the campsite. All categories are located close to the Plansee Lake and offer a stunning view of the lake. They also have a plot of 80-90 square metres on gravel or grass. There is also a 16-amp socket.

Camping Sennalpe and Camping Seespitz Prices

Prices for both campsites are identical. Adults pay 10 euros per night. You will pay 7 Euros per night if you travel with children aged between 4 and 14. You will pay 9 euros extra per night if your dog comes with you on your camping trip. The pitch is priced between 14 and 18.50 euros, and the flat rate for electricity is 5 euros. In high season, you can rent a pitch for at least five nights. In July and August, it's best to book in advance. Our article on camping can provide you with more general information about camping in Austria.

Plansee

The Plansee in Austria is a large, mountainous lake. The lake is situated in Reutte and belongs to Breitenwang. The lake is a part of the nature preserve 'Ammergebirge- Ettaler Forst, and is situated in a beautiful mountainous environment. It is known for its clear water and its beautiful landscape. The lake is 2.8 km long, 970 m wide and has a maximum depth of 78 m. It is fed by glaciers in the mountains surrounding it, and the water is of high quality. Lake Heiterwanger is its southern border and drains to Lake Plansee through the Archbach stream.

Swimming in Plansee and the access to water

Many public beaches near the lake offer access to the water. You will find public toilets and changing rooms, as well as sun loungers or parasols. There are many places along the shore where you can easily get into the water to swim. However, some places may be harder to access.

Enjoy the Activities at Plansee

Water sports lovers are drawn to the lake. Even if you are a hiker, the Plansee and the Reutte nature park region will provide you with a great deal of enjoyment.

Plansee Seen From Above

You can hike around the Plansee, and it is a beautiful lake. You have several options here: The summits of the Gschwandtkopf and Heiterwand are the highest points in the area. All of them are located around Plansee, and each one offers a spectacular view of the surrounding Alps and the lake.

Water Sports

You can choose from a wide range of water sports and activities at the Plansee. You can relax on the beach, go for a swim or fish, or do water sports. You can rent SUPS (stand-up paddle boards), kayaks, or pedal boats on the Sennalpe camping site. Canyoning and rafting are also available around the lake. Summer and winter, you can also dive into the lake's depths. You heard it right. Ice diving is possible at Planseecamp. There are a few prerequisites to meet, including 100 cold water dives.

Guesthouse MusterAlpe in the Plansee

You can also visit the MusterAlpe Inn on your holiday. Either taste traditional Tyrolean cuisine in the restaurant or go on a guided tour to the alpine milking farm, where you will see how butter and cheese are made. On the farm, you will find cows with their calves and goats. There are also chickens. It's a wonderful place to spend a day with your family. If you're there in the summer, you can enjoy live music every month, from folk to classical.

Plansee Excursions

Plansee has a wide range of outdoor activities, from scenic hikes to bike rides and refreshing swims to boat trips. All are surrounded by stunning alpine scenery. Ideal for both nature lovers and adventurers.

Highline179

Highline179, a suspension bridge located in Reutte that spans a 406-meter gorge from a height of approximately 114 meters. The Highline179 offers a spectacular view of the mountains surrounding it and is a great experience for the whole family. The Highline179 is located only 7 km from the Seespitz camping and can be reached by car in 10 minutes or on a 2-hour hike.

Linderhof Castle

You can still reach the Linderhof Castle by camper if you are a little farther away. It is located about 30 minutes from Plansee, and it is one of the most magnificent royal residences that King Ludwig II built in Bavaria. The castle is surrounded by beautiful landscapes and gardens, and its interior and architecture are impressive.

Climbing

The Kletterwald Bichelbach can be reached from the Plansee Lake. Between July and September, the Kletterwald offers a fun-filled day for all members of your family. Six different courses with varying levels of difficulty are available, as well as 60 different climbing elements.

Conclusion

Plansee is the ideal place for campers who love water and action sports! You can enjoy your holiday with family or friends, but even if you are alone, you will still have fun. We love that the campsites are right on the shore of Lake Constance. What could be better than waking up to the view of the mountains, the lake and your camper? Or the panoramic view from your roof tent as you awaken?

Best Season for Plansee Camping

June to September is the practical season. Most campgrounds open from May and close by mid-October.
Mid-July to late August is peak. Austrian and German school holidays collide — reserve 2–3 months ahead.
Early September is the sweet spot. Warm Alpine days, cool nights, clear lake water, fewer crowds, shoulder-season pricing.
May and October — lake is cold for swimming but campgrounds are quiet and scenery can be exceptional. Expect occasional rain and bring proper layers.
Winter — most Plansee camping infrastructure closes. Nearby Reutte-area villages offer alternative indoor lodging for winter visits.

What Makes Plansee Worth the Trip

Second-largest lake in Tyrol. 4km long, surrounded by the Ammergau and Lechtaler Alps. Postcard Alpine scenery with zero concession to it.
Cleaner than most tourist lakes. Low boat traffic and conservation status keep water quality exceptional.
Easy walk-in access. Hiking trails start directly from campground areas — no driving to a trailhead.
Close to Neuschwanstein Castle. 20 minutes by car to the famous Bavarian castle — combines well with a rainy day or cultural break.
Swimming, SUP, kayaking. Motorised boats are restricted; paddle sports are the local speciality.
Low crowd level vs Bavarian alternatives. Quieter than Eibsee or Königssee across the border.

Packing for a Plansee Trip

Warm layers for mornings. Even July mornings can dip to 10°C at lake altitude (~975m).
Proper hiking shoes. The surrounding trails are rocky and steep in places. Running shoes struggle.
Swim shoes. The lake bottom has stones in many places.
Rain shell. Alpine weather flips hard. Plan on at least one rainy afternoon per week.
Binoculars. Chamois and ibex are regularly visible on surrounding slopes.
Euros in cash. Austria is generally card-friendly but rural mountain huts are still cash-only.
Vignette for the Austrian motorway. If you're driving in, buy a 10-day vignette at the border.

Hikes Near Plansee Worth the Effort

Plansee lake loop. 12–13km gentle walk around the lake. 3–4 hours, kid-friendly.
Schönjöchl. Half-day hike with panoramic Alpine views from around 1,900m.
Säuling. Challenging full-day peak at 2,047m, accessed via the nearby Hohenschwangau / Reutte side.
Kiental Valley. Gentle valley walk — good for rest days or families.
E-bike loop. Several campgrounds rent e-bikes — a longer circuit around the Plansee + Heiterwanger See is reachable in a morning.

Cold conditions at altitude can shift fast in this part of Tyrol. Our winter hiking safety tips apply from October onward even for "easy" trails here.

Austrian Campground Customs

Quiet hours are taken seriously. 22:00 to 06:00 universally. Also a lunch silence (13:00–15:00) at many sites.
Fees vary more than you'd expect. Some charge by person + tent + electricity + showers separately; others flat-rate.
Kurtaxe / tourism tax. A small per-person, per-night local tax (typically 1–3 euros) added to the bill. Standard across Austrian campgrounds.
Pre-booked power hookups. If you need electricity, reserve it — popular sites run out of power pitches.
Check-out early. 10:00 or 11:00 at most sites; pay the night before or check out first thing.

Day Trips and Cultural Breaks

Neuschwanstein Castle. The famous Bavarian castle is 20–30 minutes by car. Book tickets online before going.
Linderhof Palace. Smaller, quieter alternative to Neuschwanstein. Beautiful grounds.
Reutte town. Local market days, grocery runs, medical services if needed.
Oberammergau. Famous for the Passion Play; pretty painted buildings year-round.
Ehrenberg Ruins + Highline 179. Europe's longest pedestrian suspension bridge. Near Reutte.

Plansee Camping FAQ

Do I need to book ahead?

Yes for July and August. Outside peak, weekday arrivals are usually fine. Always call or email before long-distance travel.

Is wild camping allowed at Plansee?

No — Austrian law prohibits wild camping outside designated sites. The Tyrol region enforces strictly in popular areas. Use official campgrounds.

Can I swim in Plansee?

Yes — the lake has designated swimming zones with clear water. Temperature hovers around 18–22°C in peak summer, cooler in shoulder season.

Are dogs allowed at Plansee campgrounds?

Most sites allow leashed dogs for a small extra fee. Some lake-access areas restrict dogs at peak swimming times; check the signage.

Can I camp at Plansee with a motorhome?

Yes — dedicated motorhome pitches at most Plansee campgrounds, and a few Stellplatz options around the lake. Motorway vignette required for getting in.

About the author

Buck Tanner

Veteran outdoors columnist · Bozeman, MT

Buck spent 38 years in green and grey before hanging up the radio. He writes the way he talked at the ranger desk — half answers, half stories about his Border collie Sadie. He once spent 17 nights in a row at the same Wyoming dispersed site and considers that a fine vacation. Buck is suspicious of glamping but will admit a four-season tent helped him after a 2019 incident he still won't fully explain.

38 years with the National Park Service (retired). Backcountry permit clerk turned trail-crew foreman at Glacier, Yellowstone, and the North Cascades.

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